Five years ago, Efrain Saucedo Nuñez started Fruta del Huerto in the Netherlands. Soon, the company wanted to store and pack its own products at its own location. A year ago, with EFF Logistics, the company began offering its services to overseas producers and retailers too from its newly built warehouse. Many clients have become familiar with the business, with a special citrus line of Sorma as its showpiece.
Efrain Saucedo Nuñez
"Overseas producers with European clients appreciate that there's an independent intermediary in the Netherlands to arrange the import, check the quality, pick and package the wares, and distribute it further. We can do all that, and see that our customers enjoy being unburdened. Our advantage is that we have a considerable overseas growers' network and plenty of fruit importing expertise. Plus, many overseas suppliers like that we all speak Spanish," says Efrain.
"We don't want 30 clients; we'd rather entirely unburden several large clients and, thus, keep guaranteeing a personal service. We're logistically favorably located. Plus, with a 1,800m2 conditioned packaging area and storage space for 10,000 pallets, we have lots of room to grow. And thanks to our IFS Food certification, we meet today's retail requirements."
"The Sorma optical citrus line makes us truly distinctive on the market. We can negotiate all our customers' packaging needs, from laid out to net clip or smaller boxes," explains Efrain. On a busy day, EFF's warehouse boasts 20 to 25 casual workers. "It's been quite challenging recently to source enough temporary staff; now that the greenhouse season's coming to an end, there's more personnel available, and, given the gas prices, that number will only grow."
"The European market's overseas citrus volumes lagged this season. We expected more oranges and lemons, but fortunately, our services are available for other fruits too. A Brazilian grape grower approached us to store and pack all his grapes here," continues Efrain, "and that season already starts in three weeks. We purchased top sealing machines for that, so we can take care of all grape customers' needs now too."
"We'd like to link overseas mango, avocado, and pineapple producers to retailers too. We offer a total package, from storage to packing. Many overseas producers who'd otherwise send their fruit directly to Eastern Europe, now unload their containers with us. We take care of all the export documentation and transportation to buyers. In that sense, for us, the war has led to plenty of additional demand; I didn't anticipate that," Efrain concludes.
For more information:
Efrain Saucedo Nuñez
EFF Logistics
Leursebaan 262
4814 RE Breda
Tel: +31 (0) 763 032 934
Email: sales@eff-logistics.com
Website: www.eff-logistics.com